Artificial ionospheric mirror composed of a plasma layer which can be tilted

Abstract

This invention relates to generation of a Artificial Ionospheric Mirror (AIM), or a plasma layer in the atmosphere. The AIM is used like the ionosphere to reflect RF energy over great distances. A tiltable AIM is created by a heater antenna controlled in phase and frequency. The heater antenna phase shift scans a beam to paint a plasma layer. Frequency is changed to refocus at continually higher altitudes to tilt the plasma layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for generating an AIM, comprising the steps of: (a) creating avalanche ionization in the atmosphere using a heater antenna;   (b) refocusing said heater antenna to alter the altitude of said avalanche ionization by frequency shifting said heater antenna; and   (c) scanning said heater antenna to paint an avalanche ionization layer.   
     
     
       2. A method for generating an AIM as claimed in claim 1 wherein said heater antenna is focused in the near field. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus for generating an AIM comprising: (a) a phased array heater antenna which is focused at an altitude to cause an avalanche ionization area to be created in the atmosphere;   (b) means for controlling frequency of individual radiators of said phased array heater antenna to refocus said altitude of said avalanche ionization area; and   (c) means for controlling phase of the individual radiators to scan said phased array heater antenna.   
     
     
       4. An apparatus for generating an AIM as claimed in claim 3 wherein said phased array heater antenna is focused to cause said avalanche ionization area to be substantially a line. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus for generating an AIM as claimed in claim 4 wherein said means for controlling phase moves said line substantially at a constant altitude and said means for controlling frequency moves said line to different altitudes. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus for generating an AIM as claimed in claim 4 wherein said phased array heater antenna is a rectangular array and said line is formed parallel to a long dimension of said rectangular array. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for generating an AIM as claimed in claim 3 wherein said phased array heater antenna is focused to cause said avalanche ionization area to be substantially a point. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for generating an AIM as claimed in claim 7 wherein said means for controlling the phase moves said point substantially at the same altitude and said means for controlling frequency moves said point to different altitudes. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for generating an AIM as claimed in claim 3 wherein said phased array heater antenna is focused in the near field. 
     
     
       10. A method of generating an AIM comprising the steps of: (a) focusing a phased array heater antenna at an altitude to cause an avalanche ionization area to be created in the atmosphere;   (b) controlling the frequency of individual radiators of said phased array heater antenna to refocus said altitude of said avalanche ionization area;   (c) controlling phase of the individual radiators to scan said phased array heater antenna.   
     
     
       11. A method of generating an AIM as claimed in claim 10 wherein said step of focusing causes said avalanche ionization are to be substantially a line. 
     
     
       12. A method of generating an AIM as claimed in claim 11 wherein said step of controlling phase moves said line substantially at a constant altitude and said step of controlling frequency moves said line to different altitudes. 
     
     
       13. A method of generating an AIM as claimed in claim 11 wherein said phased array heater antenna is a rectangular array and said line is formed parallel to a long dimension of said rectangular array. 
     
     
       14. A method of generating an AIM as claimed in claim 10 wherein said step of focusing causes said avalanche ionization area to be substantially a point. 
     
     
       15. A method of generating an AIM as claimed in claim 14 wherein said step of controlling phase moves said point substantially at the same altitude and said step of controlling frequency moves said point to different altitudes. 
     
     
       16. A method of generating an AIM as claimed in claim 10 wherein said step of focusing is performed in the near field.